Workers in the UK are optimistic about their job prospects despite the economic climate, but some regions are much more confident than others, according to research from Robert Half carried out by Opinium.

The research found that 55% of the workforce remain confident about their job security over the next six months despite economic headwinds.

When asked why, 50% cited their performance and niche skills, while 20% indicated that their industry is growing or in demand, suggesting that on-going skills shortages and a tight labour market continue to put the power in the hands of highly skilled workers, Robert Half’s study found.

“The professional services sector continues to experience strong demand for talent, boosting worker confidence despite conflicting economic headlines,” Matt Weston, senior managing director UK & Ireland, at Robert Half, said in a press release.

“Our recent hiring intentions survey highlights UK business leaders’ plans to increase the hiring of specialised professionals,” Weston added. “According to our data, 82% of businesses plan to make hires in finance and accounting, IT, customer service, and marketing & creative roles across all types of employment (permanent, contract and project based) during the first half of 2025, which in fact is a 5% increase on H2 2024.”

Weston added that the regional disparities that the study sees in worker confidence, likely driven by the availability or lack of nearby opportunities, suggests that the levelling up and growth agenda has not yet created a level playing field across the UK.

In the London region, 64% of employees are confident in their job security, however this falls to 56% in the Northwest and 46% in the West Midlands.

“The fact that 50% of employees cite their performance and skillset as the main driver for their job security confidence, compared to 20% who mention industry strength, indicates that systemic skills shortages will likely continue shaping a complex labour market in 2025,” Weston said. “In this scenario, candidates, particularly in highly skilled professional services, hold the upper hand in the hiring process.”

“Their expertise and in-demand skills give them the power to set expectations, negotiate favourable terms, and choose from multiple opportunities in their career progression,” Weston continued. “Given confident employees and a tight market, employers must adapt their talent strategies to align with regional workforce sentiments, invest in targeted training programs, and offer competitive compensation packages to stay ahead when attracting skilled professionals.”